Our History

The founders, Bishop James Cooper and Pastor Dianne Cooper, received an extraordinary vision from God for the Free Temple Outreach Ministry. In October 1994, God blessed and ordained the start of this vision with a radio broadcast entitled “On the Move for God” which aired for six years each Saturday morning at 10:30 AM to 10:45 AM on WGCV 1240 AM.

On January 15, 1995 (Second Sunday) the doors to the Free Temple Outreach Ministry opened at 2557 South Crater Road in Petersburg, Virginia; with Sunday School beginning at 10:00 AM, and Morning Worship started at 11:00 AM. God sent a great anointing during that service, thus setting His approval on this ministry. Additionally, the first member, Sister Alfreda Hagans, was received. She is still an active member today.

God has blessed us with several auxiliaries and outreach ministries consisting of the Children Sunday School, Music Ministry, Media Ministry, Youth Ministry, Chair/Praise Team, Junior and Senior Ushers, Nursing Home Ministry, Prison Ministry, and the Drama Ministry.

On Sunday July 19 1998, God elevated the ministry to another phase of the Vision. We held our first official service with a 500 seat sanctuary located at 210 South Market Street, Petersburg, Virginia. Pastor Cooper preached the message entitled “I Said It and I Won’t Take It Back”, which resulted again in a soul being saved during the first service. We’re constantly reminded that if we stand on the promises of God and walk according to His word, He will surely bring it to pass!

In April of 2003, God gave the founders instructions to expand the ministry to Newport News, Virginia. God had already blessed us with members (Sister Shirley Bryant and daughter Cindy) who had been traveling from the Hampton area to the Petersburg location prior to the birth of the ministry in Newport News. The burden for souls and the vision of the work weighed heavy on the hearts of Bishop and Pastor Cooper. The Lord revealed that greater works would be performed in Newport News. Bishop and Pastor Cooper began to fervently pursue the vision that God was birthing forth in them. After much prayer and the favor of god working in their lives, they began searching for a building. It was approximately 30 days after God gave the instructions to pursue that he blessed us with a building, the furniture, office supplies, carpet, and other necessary equipment; nothing but the favor of God!

In June 2003 on the first Sunday, the doors of Free Temple Outreach Deliverance Center opened at 1633 Warwick Blvd in Newport News, Virginia. We thank God for the souls he added to the church on that day. In December of 2004, the sanctuary of the Deliverance Center experienced severe flooding. As a result of major damage, we were forced to close the building. Services were held at the Ramada Inn for approximately six months immediately after the tragedy. Although the ministry in Newport News is temporarily on hold, the vision is very much alive in the loins of our Bishop and Pastor. WE BELIEVE GOD! And IT IS SO!

In February of 2006, the ministry suffered a great loss with the passing of our beloved Apostle/Overseer Timothy L. Baylor of Tabernacle Pillar of Fire Ministries, Windsor, NC.

In July of 2006, after seeking the face of God with much prayer and fasting, God divinely placed the ministry under the powerful leadership of our late Apostle/Overseer Dr. Lobias and Dr. Shirley Murray of the Full Gospel Holy Temple Church Inc. located in Dallas, Texas.

In March of 2007, God blessed us with the purchase of our current edifice (pictured above) which is located at 3635 Halifax Rd, Petersburg, Virginia.

In November of 2007, God changed the name of the ministry to Free Temple Full Gospel Ministries Inc. and He established a branch of the ministry located at 324 East NC highway 11 in Oak City North, Carolina.

In 2011, our beloved Apostle/Overseer Dr. Lobias Murray, went home to be with the Lord and passed the mantle to our current Overseer Apostle Herman L. Murray Jr. Since becoming a part of Full Gospel Holy Temple organization, the ministry has grown by leaps and bounds.

In March 2012, we took on the name of our current organization, and we are now known as Full Gospel Holy Temple Inc., Petersburg, Virginia and Oak City, North Carolina. God has truly enlarged our coast.

Our leaders have been featured on the Word Network, YouTube, and Cambridge’s Who’s Who in America; and we say To God be the Glory!

Our goal is to expand our outreach ministries into areas that will bring this great vision into full fruition. God continues to show himself mightily on our behalf. He has taken a remnant and instructed us to go and possess the land. Many people still have doubt about the power of god, but we stand firm that God is the greatest power and holiness is still right! When we see what he has done for this ministry, all we can say is “GOD DID IT AND TO HIM BE THE GLORY!” The foundation of this ministry has always been prayer, the Word of God, and Love for the brethren. As of today, it still remains Prayer, the Word, and Love.

“But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared them that love Him.” 1 Cor. 2:9